Prime Minister Hun Manet has established a high-level Ad Hoc Commission to combat online scams, granting it the authority to deploy armed forces and law enforcement officers in operations against online fraud.
The move underscores the Cambodian government’s increasing focus on tackling cybercrime, which has become a growing regional concern.
According to the notice signed by Manet on February 20, the commission will be responsible for implementing, coordinating and enforcing measures to combat online scams.
It will work across ministries, institutions and sub-national administrations, with the power to intervene as needed.
“The commission will monitor, supervise and evaluate the implementation of anti-online scam measures across ministries, institutions, and sub-national administrations. It will also cooperate with the relevant countries to combat online scams and undertake necessary actions to ensure the effectiveness of enforcement,” explained the notice.
The prime minister will chair the commission, with eight vice-chairmen, including the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy, National Defense, Interior, and Justice, along with the president of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), the Commissioner-General of the National Police, and the Director-Generals of Immigration and Identification, are also part of the new body.
Other key members include the Deputy Commissioner-General of the National Police, the Secretary-General of the Cambodian Gambling Commission, the Commander of Brigade 70 and all provincial governors.
The commission is also mandated to engage in international cooperation, particularly in dealing with cross-border online scams, which have affected victims both inside Cambodia and abroad.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, believed the establishment of an ad hoc committee for this task reflected the government’s political stance that online scams must be addressed.
He noted that from both a technical and legal perspective, the committee must work effectively, with the participation of senior leaders. If its practical implementation does not yield significant results, it will inevitably face scrutiny.
“If this committee performs well – if technicians work diligently and lower-level officials carry out their duties properly – it will demonstrate the government’s commitment to tackling this issue to both the public and the international community,” he said.
Surge in online scams prompts stronger measures
Cambodia has recently faced increasing international scrutiny over online scam syndicates operating within its borders.
In recent years, reports of human trafficking, forced labour and cyber fraud rings linked to large-scale scam operations have raised concerns among authorities and foreign governments.
Victims, often lured by false job advertisements, have found themselves trapped in scam centers, forced to perpetrate fraudulent activities targeting individuals worldwide.
Recent incidents have highlighted the growing prevalence of online scams in Cambodia.
On February 24, authorities conducted raids in Poipet town, uncovering illegal online scamming operations involving 230 foreign nationals, including 123 Thais.
These operations often involve sophisticated schemes that defraud unsuspecting victims.
In January 2025, there was a notable increase in scams utilizing fraudulent QR codes, prompting public outcry and calls for enhanced protective measures.
In response, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications launched a cybersecurity awareness campaign, featuring media outreach and educational workshops aimed at fostering online safety habits among citizens.
Cambodia has also sought to strengthen international cooperation, exemplified by joint efforts with India to exchange information on suspected online scam networks and enhance law enforcement collaboration.
The prime minister has personally underscored the importance of vigilance against cyber scams, sharing his own experiences to highlight that even high-profile individuals can be targeted.
He has directed authorities to intensify preventive measures to protect the public.
He has granted the new commission sweeping enforcement powers, allowing it to utilise members of the armed forces and law enforcement officers from various ministries, institutions and sub-national administrations to carry out operations against cybercrime.
“In cases where it is deemed necessary, the commission is authorised to coordinate and lead security forces in suppressing fraud involving technology systems,” said the notice.
This unprecedented level of security force involvement suggests that authorities view online scams as a serious national security threat requiring immediate and decisive action.
Meas Nee, a social researcher, supported the creation of the commission, warning that online scams have severely impacted Cambodia’s economic growth, including investment.
He said it was a timely and appropriate measure but expressed concerns about the long-term sustainability of the initiative.
“In our society, subcommittees have been established in the past to address pressing issues. However, for no clear reason, they often work hard at first but then disappear – this has happened with forestry and land issues,” Meas Nee told The Post.
Peou believed that Cambodia can shed its reputation as a “scam country,” a label imposed by some foreign nations.
However, if the government lacks the political will to resolve the problem, Cambodia could instead be seen as a mafia state, vulnerable to various sanctions.
“The commission must act swiftly to crack down on online scams, as they contribute to the perception of Cambodia as a scam hub, making international cooperation – particularly in investment – more difficult,” Peou told The Post.
“Therefore, the commission must work hard to carry out its duties efficiently and effectively,” he added.
He believed the establishment of the commission is significant, especially given that the prime minister has personally committed to this effort, signaling the highest level of concern.
However, Peou also noted that “some units may overlap, with individuals holding multiple positions within the same commission, a situation that could lead to inefficiency and wasted time.”
Nee added that the prime minister alone cannot oversee everything from the top down; a country must rely on a self-governing state system.
He also noted that lower-level officials who benefit from or are complicit in the scam could make it difficult for the commission to operate effectively, likening the situation to a cat-and-mouse chase.
“The commission must act swiftly, conduct thorough assessments and impose strict penalties on those responsible for and behind these scams,” he said.
Specialised task force to oversee implementation
The commission secretariat, led by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, will serve as the commission’s operational arm, ensuring the implementation of policies and enforcement strategies.
The commission comprises six working groups and a special intervention unit, each tackling a specific aspect of online fraud.
The secretariat will be responsible for gathering intelligence, identifying suspects and coordinating international efforts.
It will also oversee the monitoring and evaluation of anti-online scam measures while directing enforcement operations when authorised by the commissionPresident.
“The secretariat shall cooperate with and guide relevant ministries, institutions, sub-national administrations and authorities in executing anti-online scam operations, while also leading and commanding the special intervention unit upon approval from the president,” explained the February 20 decision.